Studio: international art (7.1896)

Japanese Chasing and Chasers

or China grass, very cleverly modelled, the curved
surfaces of the leaves being evidently cut with a
tool, and showing great flexibility.

In Fig. 8, geese flying in the rain, we have
another style in which the open saw work is com-
bined with elaborate chasing ; it is by Harumichi.
Fig. 9, a plum-branch, by Yukitoshi, is also admirably
composed and chased ; sprays of bamboo are often
treated in a similar style, the stalk forming the
outline of the guard. A favourite subject, in the
treatment of which the Japanese chasers excelled,
was a mass of flowers of the sakura or wild cherry,
or of the plum. These were executed in very low
relief, usually covering the entire surface of the
guard, sometimes solid, at others more or less
pierced. In the latter case, the face of a given
flower would be shown on one side, the stem and
calyx on the other, as in Fig. 10 by Masachika,
which is slightly pierced, and in which the anthers
are in gold. In Fig. r i we have the cherry blos-
soms in two pierced panels, with two solid panels
chased with waves.

Dragons were of course very frequently repre-
sented, both pierced and in intaglio, and, as a rule,
remarkable for their excellent modelling and flexi-
bility. In Fig. 12, a guard by Yoshiharu, we have
the story of Kosekiko and Chorio, in which the
minute detail and the variety of planes, as great as
in a wood carving, are very notable. Fig. 13 is a
group of cranes flying, by Kinai and Miochin
Munesada, their wings and legs forming the out-
line ; the dragon frequently makes the outline in
pierced guards. Fig. 14 is a pine tree, also pierced

and very elaborate in its details, as is also Fig. 15,
by Masatsugu, a collection of bales of rice, the
emblems of wealth. We have the "hundred
monkeys" treated in a similar style, a chain of
them forming the outline of the guard, and being
slightly pierced to detach the figures.

Fig. 16, a lion and peonies by Haruta, is so
boldly treated that it suggests a casting, and is a
very remarkable specimen ot chasing in iron. It
is as freely carved and undercut as though it were
of wood, the stalks of the leaves, where they come
on the edge of the guard, are pierced and undercut,

FIG. J.—FLYING BIRDS

UNSIGNED

fig. 6a — scroll work

UNSIGNED
17